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A massive weekend of racing at home and overseas, and once again, that man Alistair Brownlee manages to take the headlines. Returning from injury, did anyone truly believe that he could race at World Championship Series level first time out, and win? By his own admission, he is not 'fit' yet...if you are an ITU racer that has to face him any time soon, you had better be worried.

Is Alistair the best triathlete in the world right now? With different race formats, identifying triathlon's equivalent of the 'pound-for-pound' champion in boxing is a tough task, but I would suggest that there are a couple of longer distance athletes also throwing their hats into the ring for that crown.

If you have followed results closely since late last year, Germany's Michael Raelert has been absolutely dominant at the Ironman 70.3 distance. He may have been a surprise winner of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship last November, but since then, has demonstrated that he is more than worthy of that status - and a contender to be triathlon's overall number one. He says he won't be stepping up to race the full distance in Kona this year at least - and that must be a relief to those that will be there...

Of course, no such discussions could happen without mentioning Chrissie Wellington. Unbeaten over the ironman-distance in eight attempts, she returned to action this weekend with a comprehensive destruction of Ironman 70.3 Kansas and now has her eyes firmly set on another world record breaking time at Challenge Roth next month. We could well see the first female sub 8:30 iron finish, and another entry into the triathlon hall of fame.

And if we are talking Ironman, the you can't overlook Craig Alexander. The ultimate professional in every respect, he has finished 2nd / 1st / 1st the last three years at Kona, and this weekend, over a very tough course at the Rev3 Half in the U.S. showed that he can still dominate over the 70.3 distance too, taking victory against in-form athletes Terrenzo Bozzone and Matty Reed. Raelert against Alexander over a tough half-ironman distance course...let's hope we see that one happen very soon.

Weekend action

Wow, there was a LOT of racing going on this weekend...here are just a few of the many highlights. Our full listing of weekend event results is availableHERE, or check out the links at the bottom of this newsletter for the very best results service in the sport.

Star of the show - and we really didn't expect it (at least, not yet) - was Alistair Brownlee. Check out his amazing win at the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series Madrid, HERE. A very strong performance from Helen Jenkins in the ladies race too, as she made her first podium of the season. You can read all about that one - won by Nicola Spirig - HERE.

Pos

Men

Ladies

1st

Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 1:52:41

Nicola Spirig (SUI) 2:06:00

2nd

Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:52:51

Emmie Charayron (FRA) 2:06:04

3rd

Sven Riederer (SUI) 1:53:07

Helen Jenkins (GBR) 2:06:08

There was a mass of racing on the Ironman 70.3 circuit, and we have reports from all of them, including a big win for Chrissie Wellington, on the following links:

While Chrissie returned with a win, one winning streak ended this week as Julie Dibens finished fourth, despite holding a near seven minute lead on the bike, at the Rev3 Quassy Half distance race. Full update on that one HERE.

Pos

Men

Ladies

1st

Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:59:20

Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:23:38

2nd

Terrenzo Bozzone (NZL) 4:00:20

Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:29:09

3rd

Matty Reed (USA) 4:02:10

Sam Warriner (NZL) 4:31:55

Michelle Parsons secured a second place at the Powerman Memorial Benny Vansteelant event in Torhout, Belgium. Full report on that one HERE.

1st

Joerie Vansteelant

BEL

2:31:34

Jaqueline Uebelhart

SUI

2:58:04

2nd

Anthony Le Duey

FRA

2:34:04

Michelle Parsons

GBR

3:00:11

3rd

Andy Sutz

SUI

2:34:29

Peggy Claerbout

BEL

3:03:09

The big domestic event - by volume at least - of the weekend was the 6th Blenheim Triathlon. Thankfully the weather held, and a fine weekend was enjoyed by thousands. Tim Don and Jodie Stimpson looked majestic in winning the elite British Triathlon Super Series event. Full report HERE.

Elite

Pos

Men

Ladies

1st

Tim Don 58:17

Jodie Stimpson 1:05:56

2nd

Stuart Hayes 58:40

Non Stanford 1:08:09

3rd

Tom Bishop 59:03

Vicky Holland 1:08:34

Junior Elite

Pos

Men

Ladies

1st

David Bishop 1:02:18

Lucy Chittenden 1:09:31

2nd

Luke Watson 1:02:37

Lucy Smith 1:10:07

3rd

Andrew Christy 1:02:52

Elinor Thorogood 1:14:28

Andy Tarry (again!) and Karen Axelsdottir won the British Sprint Triathlon Champs at the Big Cow Sprint (results HERE)

All of the other results from the weekend ARE AVAILABLE HERE. We also have a report from the Cranbrook Sprint Triathlon HERE.

Mid Week Triathlete's World Magazine Sprint Triathlon Event 2

Race 2 in the Triathlete's World Magazine Mid Week Triathlon Series at Dorney Lake, Eton, takes place on Wednesday 16th June 2010. The event takes place over a 750m (open water) / 20km / 5km course, and benefits from the smooth, fast, traffic free roads of the 2012 Olympic venue.

Swim Smooth Stroke Correction Clinics

Swim Smooth are excited to announce nine Clinics in Bolton, Birmingham, York, West Lothian, Windsor and Maidenhead in June. If you are a triathlete looking to improve your speed and efficiency in the water, this is the perfect one day course for you! The day features full analysis of your stroke from video footage above and below the water. From the pool and classroom sessions you'll come away with a clear picture of what's holding you back and exactly how to improve your individual swimming.

Tri Smarter Tri Camp with Joe Beer at Club La Santa

23rd-30th September 2010: Aimed at beginners and intermediate level triathletes looking to find clear, concise and helpful coaching. This provides the perfect jump up the learning curve in a sport many take five years or more to be successful.

This is the camp to understand how to plan a winters training and be ready for next spring – from swimming technique and bike fit to run training and nutrition.

The sessions are perfect for athletes from beginner to intermediate levels and the aim is to mix practical workouts with talks and workshops. Athletes from single sports who have a few years endurance experience will find it manageable and great fun.

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Blue Rhino Sports Products has teamed up with us to offer athletes a 20% exclusive introductory discount on their first purchase order. To learn all you need to know about COOLMOVE footcare benefits and to claim your exclusive triathlon discount quote promotion ID: MJ20 on the online checkout form, visit: